Monday, 2 June 2025

Psych Rockers Filthy Hippies Unveil Video for ‘Miserable’ — A Gritty Glimpse Into the Psychedelic Soul of South African Shoegaze


Cape Town’s favourite alternative psych-shoegaze collective, Filthy Hippies, have released the music video for their track Miserable, taken from their recently launched album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy out now on Mongrel Records.

Since emerging onto the South African music scene in 2018, Filthy Hippies have carved out a distinct sonic identity—meshing swirling shoegaze textures with gritty psychedelic undertones. Their work has earned them a dedicated following, cementing their place among the most compelling acts in the country’s thriving underground. From spellbinding live sets to festival appearances, including a memorable performance at the 2019 Endless Daze Festival, Filthy Hippies continue to push boundaries with every release.

The band also welcomes a refreshed and expanded line-up for this new era. Joining Andrew Paine (Vocals/Bass/Guitar), Mandy Backström (Bass/Vocals), and Tim Ball (Guitar) are Jan-Hendrik Van Wyk (Guitar) and Divan Swanepoel (Drums). This dynamic five-piece brings renewed energy and textural richness to both the band’s studio recordings and live performances, allowing the group to dive deeper into the sonic landscapes they’ve become known for.

The video for “Miserable” is a layered visual journey—raw, dreamlike, and reflective. It captures the emotional paradox at the heart of the track. “We tried to contrast the melancholic vibe of Miserable with a cheerfully sung chorus, that hints at the possibility that the protagonist is happy being unhappy,” says vocalist Andrew Paine. That contrast is brought vividly to life in the video, pairing distorted performance visuals with surreal, analogue textures.


“Miserable” encapsulates the spirit of A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy—an album that drifts through emotion, memory, and existential haze, yet remains grounded in the grungey grit of real experience. It’s an ode to introspection, a sonic pilgrimage wrapped in fuzz and feeling.

Fans of My Bloody Valentine, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, or South Africa’s own Dangerfields will find themselves right at home in the Filthy Hippies’ immersive soundscapes.

Buy / Stream A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy


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